In Episode 10 of the Growing Leonardslee podcast, Adam Streeter, the General Manager of Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens, talks with Sussex author Hannah Peckham who was back this year at the estate for the return of the children’s Conker Activity Trail – which everyone loved.  

Explore nature, their senses, and their emotions.

This immersive event invited visitors to explore nature, their senses, and their emotions while engaging with the imaginative world of Hannah's books, including the award-winning Conker the Chameleon.  

“My books aim to lay the foundations of emotional literacy. The first, ‘Conker the Chameleon’, focused on how important it is to talk about feelings. ‘Conker and the Monkey Trap’ looks at letting go of big feelings, mental well-being and how being brave comes in all different shapes and sizes,“ Hannah says.   

The podcast begins with Adam explaining that this episode will be done differently, with him and author Hannah Peckham going for a walk through the Leonardslee Gardens while chatting.  

As they set off on their walk, Adam asks her to provide some background on Conker, the trail, and why they decided to create it. Hannah explains that Conker is about talking about feelings and emotions, and teaching children skills related to emotional resilience and social-emotional learning. The partnership with Leonardslee works beautifully since nature is great for children's mental health, which needs encouragement. 

Adam has three kids who know the Conker books very well. He finds them helpful for his two daughters, ages six and ten, in understanding emotions and the need to talk about feelings. This is very different from when he was growing up, as these topics were not encouraged then. Now Hannah's books are really helping kids in this area. 

Language for Children’s Emotions 

Hannah talks about her background as a counsellor and wants to teach kids the language of emotions from a young age, unlike many of the teenagers she used to see. She wants to lay the foundations, so children have coping strategies and understand what helps when they're sad.  

This is especially helpful in times of crisis. She gives the example of her four-year-old son Bodhi, diagnosed with leukaemia, who already has good emotional resilience, partly due to growing up with the Conker books.   

They discuss Bodhi's diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in November 2022. Hannah describes the traumatic journey to diagnosis, with persistent symptoms continually dismissed by doctors. One night, Bodhi lost all facial colour, prompting her to take him back to the GP and insist on tests. At A&E, blood tests were taken and he was diagnosed with leukaemia within half an hour. 

Hannah outlines Bodhi's intense treatment, including long hospital stays, further complications, and procedures. She explains how the first 28 days involved bringing the leukaemia into remission, followed by three years of treatment to keep it away through chemo and other means. It has been gruelling, but Bodhi’s resilience has been astounding.  

In the podcast, Adam commends Hannah for staying so positive and proactive despite the overwhelming ordeal. Hannah explains how Pants to Leukaemia in aid of Leukaemia UK came about after Bodhi put pants on his head in the hospital, leading to friends and celebrities posting photos to raise money for charity.  

This inspired the Great Big Pants Party fundraiser in the rain. She is now trying to raise awareness and funds for leukaemia research and kinder treatments. 

New Book: Bronte’s Battlecry 

Despite everything, Hannah has managed to bring out a new book, Bronte's Battlecry, which was written before Bodhi's diagnosis. The illustrations were created when they were in the hospital. 

Adam is amazed at how Hannah can write books amidst all this. Her previous bestseller was Conker the Chameleon, and the new book looks set to also help many families. Adam says he likes the exercises at the end to consolidate learning. His son had some quite profound answers to the questions using concepts from the book, showing their impact. 

The book's back pages utilise play and multisensory activities to reinforce the messages. By engaging different learning styles, the book subtly teaches about feelings through storytelling. 

As they continue walking, Adam asks Hannah to share how people can donate or help. She highlights that sales of her latest book support leukaemia research. The conversation turns to the therapeutic benefits of being in nature, with Hannah humorously sharing how she hugs trees now.   

Adam suggests the idea of Hannah writing a children's book based around Leonardslee:  

“You could highlight the atmospheric gardens, cute wallabies, our history, and benefits for mental health. Visitors often thank our team profusely for reopening after lockdown, underscoring the gardens' importance.”  

Hannah is receptive, having already considered such a book, and they agree to explore collaborating on a new story.  

As the podcast wraps up, Hannah gives details of her next book, The Get Well Spell, out in 2023. Adam praises her determination despite adversity, and thanks her for the Conker Trail and its benefits for children. Hannah warmly thanks Leonardslee for their support, saying Conker is happy there. They look forward to working together again soon. 

Visit these links for Leonardslee’s programme of events, and what to see and do.  

See www.littlebodhibooks.co.uk or contact Hannah at hello@littlebodhibooks.co.uk